When patients come to my office with a diagnosis of kidney failure or end stage renal disease (ESRD), most of them are nervous about what the next steps are to continue the activities of their daily life, now that their kidneys are no longer functioning. It is not always a surprise that they have kidney failure; however, the options can be overwhelming.
There are 3 different treatments for patients facing kidney failure:
1. Kidney transplant
In a nutshell, this is a surgery in which a healthy kidney from one person is placed in another person whose kidneys are diseased. The newly transplanted kidney can then do the job of the diseased kidneys. This kidney can come from a living donor or a deceased donor, as long as it is a match to the patient.
Benefits: With kidney transplantation, people usually live longer with a better quality of life than people who are treated with dialysis.
Drawbacks: It is a major surgery, difficult to find a donor kidney, and people need to take medicine to keep them immuno-suppressed (to prevent their body from rejecting the new kidney).
2. Peritoneal dialysis (PD)
This is a procedure that people do at home every day. It involves piping a special fluid into the belly. This fluid collects waste and excess salt and water from the blood, and then drains out of the belly. Before people can have peritoneal dialysis, they need surgery to have a tube put in their belly.
Benefits: Patients can do it at home by themselves and there are no needles involved.
Drawbacks: It increases the likelihood of infection in the belly and can be hard to learn how to do.
3. Hemodialysis (HD)
This is an intervention when a dialysis machine takes over kidney function. The machine pumps blood out of the body, filters it and returns it to the body. Before people can have hemodialysis, they need surgery to create a fistula (access point). This is a way for the blood to leave and return to the body.
Benefits: It usually takes place in a dialysis center where patients are monitored, and it is performed fewer days a week than PD.
Drawbacks: You need to have it performed at a center three times every week, needles are placed in the fistula each time, and there is a possibility the fistula can get infected.
A Life-or-Death Matter
If renal failure is severe and no treatment is given, death can result. That is why it is best to be evaluated by a provider as soon as possible to determine the appropriate plan.
Please visit our website for more information and resources on kidney failure, dialysis and kidney transplants.
To find an excellent physician who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.